Daily Archives: March 16, 2011

Fukushima #1

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The latest news about the Fukushima #1 nuclear power plant is difficult to get hold of. Or should I say, it is difficult to get hold of reliable information.

What seems to have happened is that once again smoke is visible from Reactor #3 though the fire in Reactor #4 seems to have been put out. The high level of radiation leaking out during the night has gone down. Though the latest update now say that radiation leakage of up to 6 mSv per hour occurred during a limited time period today.

There are also some contradictory information regarding the personnel at the power plant. Have they been pulled out or not? It seems that most personnel has been pulled out earlier but there are still 50 that continue to work there.

Unfortunately, TEPCO, the company owning the Fukushima Daiichi (#1) and Daini (#2) Power Plants, have not been too forthcoming with information. They provide information about radiation leakage at their web site. However, I can only find information about the Daini (#2) power plant. This plant is not the one with the problems you can see on TV right now, which you can see from this English information at the TEPCO site. All Daini-reactors are in cold shutdown, which basically means that they are off and there is no risk of a meltdown etc.

An Ordinary Day

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How has an ordinary day changed for us since Friday’s earthquake? Actually, it goes on pretty much as it did pre-Friday’s earthquake with just a few exceptions.

  • We almost constantly watch TV news when a TV is available.
  • We save power, which means less light, less heat, shorter showers.
  • We have a bath tub full of water all the time – if power is cut we will not get water on the 12th floor.
  • We have bought 24×1.5 liter water for the same reason.
  • We have a box of reserve food such as pasta, canned tuna, and so on.
  • Increased awareness of keeping track of each other and that we always bring a cellular phone.
  • Intensified the blogging to keep family and friends up to date with what is happening – as you may have noticed 😉

In summary, the changes are not big and not really difficult. As all changes it takes some discipline and some extra thought but, as mentioned, it is not really difficult.

We also try to continue as usual. Visiting restaurants with the same frequency as usual. Go to the gym. Got to work.

Sometimes though it is not possible. Sony Ericsson where I work have, for instance, asked all employees to stay home from today until further notice. Konami Sports gym have limited opening hours, 10-18 instead of 10-22, most likely because of the irregular train schedules.

It also seems to have impacted restaurants so maybe many other people have changed their daily lives more than Chie and I have. Yesterday we visited Yasaka and while we were there they got 3 cancellations. Since Friday’s earthquake they have had 94 cancellations, counting in numbers of people. A quite big hit for a small restaurant like Yasaka.